“Wait,” said Laurie holding up a warning finger. “There may be someone there who is more interesting to you than we are.”
“There’s only one such person in the world,” exclaimed Lucile, “and—and I hope I may meet her before that hour comes.”
She was a little surprised at the glances Laurie and Cordie exchanged and greatly puzzled by the fact that they did not ask her who that person was.
Laurie and Cordie gave themselves over to the gaiety of the night. The blazing light, the splendid cars that went gliding down the Boulevard, the magnificent furs worn by those who chose to promenade the broad sidewalk, were sights to catch any eye.
They did not hold Lucile’s attention. She had eyes for but one sight, the glimpse of a single face. What that glimpse would mean to her! Room rent paid, term bills paid, a warm coat, other needed clothing, a last minute present which she had been too poor to purchase, and a snug little sum in the bank. All these it would mean, and more; two hundred in gold.
But the face did not appear. For an hour they walked the Boulevard, yet no sight of the Mystery Lady, she of the Christmas Spirit, came to them. One matter troubled Lucile more and more. Often in her search she looked behind her. More than once, four times in fact, she had caught sight of a man who walked always at exactly the same distance behind them. A tall man, it was, with a long gray coat, a high collar turned up and cap pulled low.
“It isn’t just because he happens to be walking in our direction,” she told herself with a little shiver. “Twice we have turned and walked back and once we crossed the street. But all the time he has been directly behind us. I wonder what it could mean?”
At that moment there came the clatter of hoofs and four mounted policemen, clad in bright uniform, came riding down the Boulevard.
“It’s a big night,” exclaimed Laurie. “There’s a special squad of them out.”
“Oh there—there he is!” exclaimed Cordie. “There’s Dick! That’s Patrick O’Hara riding him! Aren’t they splendid? And right beside him is Tim, good old Tim. See! They recognized me. They touched their hats!”